Waterfall City, renowned for its remarkable integration of urban development and natural landscapes, continues to lead by example in sustainable land management. The 2023 Waterfall City Field Guide – a 170-page publication – highlights the City’s deep connection with its natural environment. This guide, along with its recent 2024 update, details the rich history, ecology, and geology of Waterfall City while showcasing its extensive biodiversity, including indigenous trees, shrubs, wildlife, and more. An impressive 261 species of birds have been sighted on the development, including the recently seen Lesser Flamingo, Verreaux’s Eagle and Klaas’s Cuckoo. Several mammals can also be found here, such as hares, hedgehogs, small antelope, mongoose, genet and jackal, to name a few. Waterfall City has since embarked on an ambitious project to introduce more herbivores to enhance its greenbelt ecosystems, a significant part of its ongoing greenbelt rehabilitation project.

The Waterfall City greenbelt

Waterfall City is home to over 300 hectares of greenbelts. The Jukskei River winds through the development, but invasive species introduced from upstream often impact the river’s ecosystem. Birds, insects, and the wind exacerbate the problem by spreading these plants throughout the natural areas of the precinct and vacant land. In response, Waterfall City has continued efforts to eradicate invasive species as part of an ongoing programme to rehabilitate our greenbelts and grasslands.

The introduction of buck species

A significant aspect of Waterfall City’s commitment to preserving and enhancing its grassland ecology is the introduction of native buck species. While the City’s green spaces have always been home to free-roaming duikers and steenbok, along with other smaller mammals, which use the Jukskei as an access corridor, more of these and other antelope species have been introduced in small numbers to bring back some semblance of a typical ecosystem. These include:

• 4 Blesbuck – 3 ewes and 1 ram (introduced in 2022)
• 5 Springbuck – 4 ewes and 1 ram (introduced in 2023)
• 4 Each Steenbok and Common Duiker – 2 males and 2 females each, (introduced in 2024)

“The introduction of these herbivores is not just about adding wildlife for aesthetic reasons; they play a crucial role in managing the greenbelt’s vegetation,” says Ruan Spies, Environmental Manager at Waterfall City Management Company.

“These species graze on grasses and other low-growing plants, helping prevent the buildup of moribund vegetation (dead or decaying plant matter) that can stifle new growth. By keeping grass short and facilitating the regeneration of more nutritious grasses, these herbivores help maintain a balanced and healthy ecosystem.”

Benefits of grazing for grassland health

In particular, the Blesbuck and Springbuck have proven effective in managing vegetation by grazing on shorter grasses like Paspalum notatum (an alien invasive species from South America), controlling its spread whilst also reducing the risk of wildfires by lowering the amount of biomass in the grasslands.
Furthermore, grazing prevents any single species from dominating the grasslands, thus promoting biodiversity. Moreover, their presence aids in nutrient cycling, as they break down plant material and return nutrients to the soil through manure, supporting the growth of new plant life.

Aesthetic and recreational appeal

In addition to their environmental benefits, the presence of wildlife, such as the Blesbuck and Springbuck, enhances the aesthetic appeal of Waterfall City. Their graceful movements and striking appearance, especially during activities like pronking (leaping high into the air, typical of Springbuck), add to the beauty of the greenbelt areas, making them more enjoyable for residents and visitors alike.
These animals also attract those interested in eco-tourism and naturebased recreational activities such as wildlife photography, birdwatching, and nature walks. The Blesbuck and Springbuck currently seem to prefer the area bordering the river in front of Waterfall Valley.

Download the fact sheet for some interesting facts regarding our Herbivore family.